Double edge ribbon-razor



L. K. KUHNL 3,540,125

DOUBLE EDGE RIBBON-RAZOR Nov. 17, 1970 Filed June 6, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LEOPOLD K. KUHNL ATT'YS.

Nov. 17, .1970 L, K, KUHNL 3,540,125

DOUBLE EDGE RIBBON-RAZOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1968 INVENTOR LEOPOLD K. KUHNL United States Patent O 3,540,125 DOUBLE EDGE RIBBON-RAZOR Leopold K. Kuhn], Stratford, Conn., assignor to Eversharp, Inc., Milford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 6, 1968, Ser. No. 735,029 Int. Cl. B261) 21/26 U.S. Cl. -3465 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A razor magazine for use, in combination with a handle to make a double edge razor blade unit, said magazine including a body portion with two ribbon-type blades disposed therein, shaving edge portions of the blades disposed on opposite sides of the center line of the magazine unit, and including spool means for advancing the blades to a plurality of successive positions. A single manipulating means is provided for moving the spool means on which and bands are located. A portion of each blade is disposed over a bridge in a blade track, the inner edge of which is formed by a divider separating the tracks and preventing inward blade movement. A cover unit holds the blades in a closely overlying relation to the tracks, and each track has end portions with means thereon for tensioning the cutting edge of each blade in the blade track areas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The field of the present invention is that of safety razors, and, more particularly, that of safety razors which include a band or ribbon-type thin steel blade which is sharpened on one edge thereof to provide a shaving edge, and which is moved successively from position to position within a razor blade magazine.

The field of the invention is also that of razor blade magazines or cartridges adapted to be held in a handle or other manipulating means, which, when assembled with such means, forms a razor unit.

More particularly, the field of the invention is that of safety razors and safety razor blade magazines in which the magazine includes two single edge blades, and in which the sharpened edges are advanced successively from position to position over track means on the bridge of the magazine, with the unsharpened edges directed inwardly in spaced apart parallel relation. Magazine units made according to the present invention are easily fastened to a razor handle to form a razor unit, and are manufactured economically so that the units may be thrown away after use.

Description of the prior art Single edge band type razors have been known in the prior art for many years, but only recently, by reason of substantial improvements in the manufacture of blades and in the construction thereof, have such razor units and razor magazines been sufficiently practical to be commercially successful on a large scale. Since such units have proved successful, and as the public has become acquainted with their numerous advantages and characteristics, including simplicity of operation, freedom from the requirement to have blade edges changed individually, light weight, satisfying feel, and competitive economy, there has also been a demand for a razor embodying such advantages, as well as including the further advantage of affording double edge economy of shaving.

However, it is not known in the prior art to provide such a double edge band razor or a magazine containing two single edge ribbon-type blade units separated by a guide member, each of which may be simultaneously advanced across its own track, beneath a cover unit, by manipulation of a single advancing means, so that two new blade edges may be presented in succession. Magazines thus formed, which may be readily fastened to a handle for use as a razor unit, and then thrown away after use are not believed to be known to the prior art.

A number of individual or single blade ribbon type razor units are known in the prior art, some having proved relatively successful commercially, and others having proved somewhat less successful. However, band razor units having twin opposed blades, such as those described herein, are not believed known to the prior art.

In the manufacture of the razor of the present invention, it has been previously unknown in the art to provide a construction in which certain portions of the magazine of cartridge elements of the razor may be similar in shape to those known for single edge units, and to provide a construction in which spool means for advancing both blades may be manufactured as a single unit. It is also believed unknown in the prior art to provide a construction wherein the magazine unit requires, in order to provide a double edge shaving unit, only two razor blades of a known ribbon type, and a minimum of other components.

Furthermore, it has not been known to provide a double edge unit which can take advantage of commercially proved and accepted components which are well known to be desired by the consuming public. The present construction provides a razor in which the basic functional components thereof have already been proved successful, but which will provide further advantages of simplicity of operation and construction, lower cost, and afford a double edge ribbon type razor magazine for use with other components to form a razor unit having the above stated and other advantages and characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the shortcomings of prior art devices, and the inability thereof to fulfill the needs referred to above, and object of the present invention is to provide a magazine having the advantage of being able to utilize certain already standarized parts, and which may be manufactured by utilizing already existing techniques.

Another object is to provide a unit which is not substantially larger in size than corresponding single blade units, and which has advantages of economy and simplicity. A still further object is to provide a magazine which makes possible the presentation of twice the number of shaving edges of a single blade unit at very little increase in cost.

Another object of the invention is to provide a magazine unit for holding two single edge band or ribbon-type razor blades having single means for advancing and positioning said blade units in a plurality of successive positions in one simultaneous operation.

In addition, an object is to provide a dual blade magazine which may be associated with a single handle unit, and which may be thrown away after use.

Further objects include the provisions of such a razor magazine having a construction wherein certain already standardized parts may be used', in which the blade elements may be tensioned according to known methods, and in which greater economy is provided without sacrificing dependability.

The present invention accomplishes these objects, and other objects which are inherent therein by providing a magazine having a body containing dual, spaced apart blade track means for receiving two ribbon-type blades, common guide means for the inner sides of the blade tracks, spool means operable by a common handle or lever unit for receiving said ribbon-type blades, as well as means on each blade track for holding the two blades in position with their sharpened edge portions held in tension and facing outwardly, top blade cover means, and dual blade supply means.

The manner in which the invention achieves the above stated objects, and others, will become more clear as the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, proceeds, and when considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent corresponding parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an assembled razor unit incorporating the novel double blade magazine of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the razor magazine apart from the handle unit;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the razor magazine of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the magazine unit showing the track means without the blades therein;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 4, showing the ribbon-type blade units in position of use in the blade tracks;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the magazine unit with the front cover removed, showing the disposition of elements on the interior thereof;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the magazine shown in FIG. 5, that is, a view of the magazine from the opposite side thereof, and with the rear cover removed;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the magazine unit, with portions broken away, showing another form of the blade tensioning means in the blade tracks of the magazine;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 99 of FIG. 6, showing the disposition of the blade elements in the magazine unit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows a razor unit 20, comprising a magazine 22 and a handle 24, the handle having a plurality of knobs or like gripping surfaces 26. The magazine 22 includes a manually operable advancing lever 28 attached to a projecting ring 30 held fixed by a button member 32, which will be described in detail further herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it is shown that the handle 24 includes clip members 34, 36 which include, at the upper ends thereof, inwardly directed claws 38, the clips 34, 36 and the claws 38 being adapted to be received by recesses 40 on the sides of the magazine 22. The clips 34, 36 are locked in place by a lever 42 which snaps downwardly into the handle recess 44 in the handle 24 in a conventional manner. A snap-over center action is provided.

FIG. 2 also shows that blade edges E protrude outwardly from beneath cover means 46 having outwardly extending, tapered top surfaces 48, 50. FIG. 2 also shows the provision of a notch 52 in the ring 30 supporting the lever 28, being understood that the ring 30 may open and close somewhat as it snaps over a ratchet mechanism to be described in greater detail herein.

Each side of the magazine 22 also includes an edge guard unit 54, which is fluted in a well known manner.

Referring now to FIG. 4 there is shown a top view of the magazine 22 having guards 54 on either end thereof, and blade guide means in the form of a rib 56, containing a plurality of slots or openings 58 therein. The guide means or rib 56 serves to separate a front blade track 60 from a rear blade track .62, each track 60, 62 'having an inwardly sloping corner shoulder 64 thereon for reasons which will appear more fully herein. The rib 56 includes side wall portions 68, 70 which are associated with the respective tracks 60, 62, for abutting the rear or 4 unsharpened edge D of each blade B. The sidewalls 68, extend fully around the arcuate ends of the bridge 72 inwardly of the shoulders 64. The guard members 54 are provided with slots to facilitate rinsing the razor after use.

FIG. 5 shows the construction of FIG. 4, but with two blades B in position in the tracks 60, 62.

Each blade B has a shaving edge E extending along the outer edge thereof, and running longitudinally of the tracks 60, 62, parallel to the guards 54 and the rib 56.

Since the shoulders 64 on the tracks 60, 62 slope inwardly to the rear thereof, the spacing between the rear edges D of a blade B from one shoulder to the other is less at the rear than is the spacing between corresponding portions of the blade B at the front edge E of such blade. Since the front portions of the shoulders 64 are spaced farther apart from each other at the front than at the rear, the blade is tensioned thereby; that is, the front edge E has more tension thereon than does the rear edge D. Accordingly, the blade, in tending to relieve any stress placed thereon by a movement of the advancing mechanism, tends to move to the rear and against the side walls 68, 70, rather than forwardly and over the guards 54.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an exploded view of the cartridge 22 is shown. The principal portions thereof are the body of the magazine 22, which comprises a bridge portion 72 and a backbone portion 74, a front cover unit 76 and a rear cover unit 78, as well as front and rear blades B. A top blade guide means 80 is provided, along with a spring clip 82 therefor.

Referring now to these elements in greater detail, the body comprises, in addition to the blade tracks 60, 62, center guide means in the form of a rib 56, a guard member 54, and blade supply receiving means in the form of a. castellated cylinder 84 having wall portions 86 defining a side exit opening therein for passage of the blade B out of the cylinder and over the bridge portion 72 of the body. The backbone 74 also includes a circular opening 88 having a pawl 90 extending therein, the pawl 90 being integrally formed with the backbone 74. The pawl 90 receives a spool 92 which includes a front takeup reel portion 94, a rear takeup reel portion 96, center ratchet means 98 adapted to cooperate with the pawl 90, front and rear bearing surfaces 100, .102, and a front advancing ratchet means 104.

Referring now to the front cover 76, the relation thereof to the blade B, the spool 92 and the magazine body is shown, as well as the relation of the lever 28 and the ring 30 to the cover 76. In addition, the cover includes an opening 106 for receiving the bearing surface 100, and for allowing passage of the ratchet means 104 therethrough. The ratchet 104 is surrounded in use by the ring 30, and an extension 108 on the button 32 engages an opening 110 in the spool 92. The front cover also includes a viewing window 112 for viewing numerical or like indicia on the blade B to determine the position of a blade edge to assist the user in determining the position of a blade edge on the bridge. Additionally, the cover includes tapered, inwardly directed faces 114, 116 for cooperating with the lower portions of the bridge 74 to impart a twist to the blade, and to assist in guiding it over the bridge between the takeup and supply means. The rear cover 78 is substantially a mirror image of the front cover 76, and includes inwardly directed guide faces 118, 120 as well as a rear opening 122 adapted to receive the bearing surface 102, the opening 122 being covered in use by a button 124. A

- recess 126 is provided on the cover 78 to receive a projecpose thereof is to impart a frusto-conical shape to blade passing over the blade tracks 60, 62 in this area. These projections 130 serve the same purpose as is served by the taper imparted to the shoulders 64 as shown in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. FIG. 8 shows the projections 130 in the relation to the blade tracks 60, 62 in plan view, with the blade being shown in phantom lines, so that the edges E thereof lie just outwardly of the ends of the projections 130.

Referring now to the top blade guide means 80, this unit is shown in the form of a cover element which includes locking projections 132 thereon for reception in the openings 58 in the rib 56, a longitudinal groove 134 for receiving the clip 82, and side portions 136, 138, each having a respective lower face portion 140, 142 which is adapted to overlie the blades B in close relation. The clip 82 includes side portions 144, 146 and inwardly directed fastening flanges 148, 150.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 through 9, the disposition of the components referred to above is shown in further detail. FIG. 9, for example, shows that the blade supply receiving means 84 has a counterpart 152 on the reverse side of the backbone 74, that a series of castellations 154, 156 are present on each cylinder 84, 152, and that an opening 157 communicates between the two holders 84, 152 through the backbone 74. Likewise, the disposition of the spool 92 through the opening 88 in the backbone 74 is shown, and the manner of fitting the ring 30 and lever 28 in position over the spool 92 is shown.

Each reel portion 94, 96 is shown to be of the same diameter, for equal blade takeup with corresponding rotation. It can be seen, by reference to FIG. 9, that the blades B, when inside the supply holders 84, 152 have the rear edges D thereof spaced apart from each other a distance equal to the thickness of the backbone member 74, whereas, when the blades B are trained over the bridge 72, the rear edge portions D thereof are spaced apart a somewhat greater distance, that is, a distance equal to that of the width of the rib 56, the two side walls 68, 70 of which engage the blade B and guide the blades in spaced apart, parallel relation, as shown therein.

In order to accomplish this, particularly in view of the tapered shoulder 64, or their counterparts, namely the projections 130 shown in FIG. 8, the blade is again twisted, in this case by the passage over the faces 114, 116 of the front cover 76 and the faces 118, 120 of the rear cover 78. In this way, the blades, which are twisted so over the ends 64 so as to lie forwardly of the edge E while within the magazine, are retwisted, for example, as shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3, so that the supply and takeup portions thereof are again moved to a position such as that shown in FIG. 9. In this manner, the tensioning of the front blade edge is accomplished, but it is not necessary to move the blades forwardly of the edge E, and thus increase the width of the blade magazine or cause it to taper unduly outwardly from the exposed blade edges or the guard members 54.

In this respect, the blades are disposed in a compact manner, and are tensioned so that the front or shaving edge E is maintained in a relatively straight line without undue downward pressure from the top cover 80, particularly the bottom surfaces 140, 142, thereof, and yet the blade may be advanced without undue resistance. Guide surfaces 158, 160 are provided on the lower portions of the bridge 72 to cooperate with the corresponding faces 114, 116, of the cover 76. In this manner, the blade is twisted and guided into the desired position shown.

A particular feature of this invention is the position of the blades in various locations within the cartridge 22.

Thus, referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 8 and 9, for example, it can be seen that whereas the blades are disposed flat and parallel to each other, as well as perpendicular to the backbone 74 in use, that those portions of the blade which are trained around the arcuate ends 64 of the bridge 72 assume a generally frustro-conical configuration, with the apex of each cone thus formed falling not only to the rear of the sharpened blade edge with which it is associated, but also on a line substantially below the plane formed by the parallel blades passing over the bridge over the tracks 62. Likewise, the shape of the portion of the cone formed by the blade in the other track is of the same configuration, that is, the apex of the conical section formed thereby will also fall substantially below the plane formed by the two blades. In this manner, as much twist as is desired can be imparted to the blade in the area of the ends 64, without a corresponding deviation from the flat bridge area along the track 60, 62. In this way, a more desirable shaving angle can be obtained, tensioning on the blade may be maintained, and the provision of the faces 114, 116, 118, 120 provide means for locating the blade supply means close to the backbone of the unit.

- Referring now to the use of the razor and magazine unit of the invention, the magazine 22 is placed over the top portion of the handle 24, and the lever 42 is manipulated so as to cause engagement between the clips 34, 36 and the recesses 40 in the cartridge. With two shaving edges disposed in opposite relation, with the inner edges D thereof abutting the side walls 68, 70 of the rib 56, the user may shave until both blade edges have become dull. Thereupon manipulation of the advancing lever 28 back and forth serves to advance a new pair of blade edges into position, since the ratchet on the ring 30 cooperating with the means 104 on the spool 92 advances the spool, and each reel portion 94, 96 thereof advances the blade with which it is associated a substantially equal amount. This process is repeated until the blade supply is exhausted, whereupon the magazine is detached and thrown away, since it may economically be replaced by a new magazine unit.

In constructing a razor magazine according to the invention, it is preferred that the handle comprise a plastic material, of any suitable type. The spool 92 is preferably an acetal or nylon resin, and the covers 76, 78 are preferably a high impact styrene or an ABS (acrylonitrilebritadiene-styrene) or the like. The top blade guide or cover 80 may also be ABS, nylon or a flurocarbon polymer, that is, a relatively lubricous material. The clip 82 is preferably spring steel or the like. The backbone 74 and the remainder of the cartridge are preferably styrene, ABS or the like. The exact choice of materials is not a necessary part of the invention; the plastics named have been found satisfactory, however. The blades are preferably a stainless steel material.

Accordingly, it may be seen that the razor magazine of the present invention provides the advantages of throwaway economy, simple manufacture, extensive use of standardized parts and technology as well as minimum use as complex and expensive parts. In addition, although the material costs are only slightly higher, since two blade edges are provided, double edge economy is utilized without imposing the need for sharpening the other edge of the blades, since this operation requires new handling methods or references to a cut edge. In this manner, assembled and manufacture are simplified, while economy is improved.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a novel razor magazine and razor unit, having numerous advantages and characteristics, including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

I claim:

1. A razor magazine comprising, in combination, a magazine body having a bridge portion and means for accommodating two blade takeup means and two blade supply means, said bridge having two blade tracks thereon, said blade tracks being spaced apart from each other, blade edge guide means disposed between said tracks and having at least a portion thereof disposed along and forming an inner edge of each of said blade tracks, arcuate end portions on each of said blade tracks, takeup means for two blades, two blades extending between said supply means and said takeup means, with portions thereof disposed respectively in each of said blade tracks in use, and means for maintaining an operative connection between said two takeup means so that said takeup means will be moved simultaneously.

2. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1, in which said takeup means comprises a single spool having two spaced apart areas thereon, one area for winding each of said blades.

3. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which each of said blade tracks includes means associated therewith for urging each of said blades toward said blade edge guide means.

4. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which single manipulating means is provided for advancing said blades to a plurality of successive positions in each of said blade tracks.

5. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said body includes a lower extension portion having an opening therein for receiving said takeup means, in which said takeup means comprises a single spool extending through said opening, and in which said opening for said takeup means includes ratchet means therein for cooperation with portions of said spool to allow rotation thereof in one direction only.

6. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided in association with each of said armate end portions for tensioning the cutting edge portions of each blade edge to a greater extent than the unsharpened edges of said blade portions.

7. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said blade supply means and said blade takeup means are disposed so that the unsharpened edge of one blade in the takeup and supply areas is closer to the unsharpened edge of the other blade in its takeup and supply areas than are the unsharpened edges to each other in the bridge area of said magazine.

8. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which said advancing means comprises a single lever including ratchet means thereon.

9. A razor magazine as defined in claim 1 in which additional blade guide means are provided for maintaining said blade in a position closely overlying said blade tracks.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,272,816 7/1918 Leslie -50 FOREIGN PATENTS 748,730 4/ 1933 France.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner G. F. GRAFEL, Assistant Examiner 

